US kidnap suspect Castro in court

UNEMPLOYED American bus driver Ariel Castro appeared in court on Thursday to faces charges that he kidnapped and raped three young women and held them in his home for a decade.

The 52-year-old from Cleveland, Ohio did not enter a plea and stood with his head bowed while the court set a large bond of $US2 million per case, effectively ensuring that he will remain in detention.

He looked down at the ground while lawyers spoke to the judge.

Police say they've talked with Castro and the three women at length in building their case.

While they're not revealing many details, police do say the women - Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight - were kept inside Castro's house for all but a few brief minutes over the last 10 years.

Berry gave birth to a girl during her captivity, who is now aged six.

The three women disappeared separately between 2002 and 2004 and were found on Monday after Berry screamed for help to escape and contacted police immediately after she was freed.